East Side Connect - August 2024
Message from the Superintendent
Hello East Side,
Welcome to East Side Union High School District’s 2024-2025 school year! I am looking forward to working with you this year to make sure our students are successful and prepared for full participation in Silicon Valley. Our goals are student-centered and remain steadfast: building equitable communities, increasing college and career readiness, and providing a safe and welcoming school environment for all students.
At East Side, we know that creating a clear pathway to college and career dramatically increases positive student outcomes. So, with San Jose State University, we developed a promise: the Spartan East Side Promise. The Promise is that any ESUHSD student who meets A-G eligibility requirements with a 2.5 GPA or higher and applies to SJSU before the application deadline is guaranteed admission to SJSU. I invite you to watch a short video introducing the Promise:
Among the business discussed during the Board Meetings during the summer on June 6, June 20, and August 15 the Board of Trustees:
Approved the Local Control and Accountability Plan
Heard Presentation from Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee and received Annual Report
Passed a Resolution to Confirm Commitment to Fiscal Solvency and Approved Budget
Recognized the ACSA Region 8 2024 Rookie Administrator of the Year: Thomasina Goltzer
Received the Inaugural TECH-Cellent Partner in Education Award
Received a Presentation regarding the work of Parent & Community Involvement Specialists
Heard Presentation on Reentry Plans for Expelled Students
Board of Trustees Approve Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)
The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is a three-year plan that describes the goals, actions, services, and expenditures to support positive student outcomes that address state and local priorities. The LCAP provides an opportunity for school districts to share their stories of how, what, and why programs and services are selected to meet the needs of our students.
Board of Trustees Hears Presentation from Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee and receives Annual Report
The Board of Trustees heard a presentation from CBOC Chair Barry Schimmel on the 2022-2023 Bond Program Annual Report. The CBOC Bond Program Annual Report highlights where ESUHSD’s bond funds come from, how projects are selected, and provides important updates on the status of bond construction projects for our community.
We invite you to read the report and see the great work being done by the ESUHSD Bond Program.
Board of Trustees Passes Resolution to Confirm Commitment to Fiscal Solvency
The East Side Union High School District Board of Trustees is committed to ensuring the District remains fiscally solvent and able to maintain a minimum 3% reserve in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 and the two subsequent years. As such, ESUHSD’s Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution to confirm the district’s commitment to fiscal solvency.
Based on the District’s projected revenues and expenditures in the 2023-24 Third Interim Budget Report, the District projects to have a deficit of $14.3 million in 2023-24, $53.9 million deficit in 2024- 25, and $58.8 million deficit in 2025-26. Based on multi-year projections as of June 6, 2024. Amidst the state budget deficit, ESUHSD is exploring solutions that will continue to meet the needs of students.
During the June 6th meeting, the Board of trustees also approved the 2024-2025 Budget.
Board of Trustees Recognize the ACSA Region 8 2024 Rookie Administrator of the Year: Thomasina Goltzer
The Board of Trustees recognized Thomasina Goltzer for earning the ACSA Region 8 2024 Rookie Administrator of the Year award.
Thomasina Goltzer in her first year as an administrator oversaw attendance, facilities, safety, and discipline for Independence High School, the largest school at ESUHSD. As an administrator, Thomasina enjoys seeing the classroom from a new perspective and supporting teachers. She collaborates closely with our school social workers and district facilities team along with teachers to ensure all staff have what they need to succeed.
Congratulations Thomasina!
ESUHSD is Awarded the Inaugural TECH-Cellent Partner in Education Award
The Board of Trustees received the inaugural TECH-Cellent Partner in Education Award from The Tech Interactive!
ESUHSD and The Tech Interactive have partnered to help bridge the equity divide in STEM experiences for students across the East Side. At East Side there is consistent participation of 30 teachers in the Tech Academies program which has helped in providing high quality STEM instruction intentionally integrated into core curriculum areas. The alumni of the Tech Academies program continue to engage with The Tech by giving their talents to being coaches at Summer Institute, being guest Professional Development providers for the Community of Practices, Educational partnership committee, lesson prototypes and feedback.
Over 3000 students have benefitted from the STEM experiences from this partnership. This prestigious award is bestowed upon schools, districts, and staff who have not only wholeheartedly embraced the Tech Academies model but have also emerged as exemplary role models within the broader education community. Thanks to The Tech Interactive for the honor!
Board of Trustees Receive a Presentation regarding the work of Parent & Community Involvement Specialists
The Board of Trustees received a presentation from Blasa Ozuna and Margarita Rodriguez, two of ESUHSD’s Parent Community Involvement Specialists on their work on family engagement, student support, and attendance interventions and recovery.
Among the highlights from the presentation:
PCIS organize School-Linked Services on campus to improve academic performance, attendance, and connectedness to school.
Over 96% of families are satisfied with site SLS events hosted by PCIS
Families feel more supported when 80% of communication is positive
Board of Trustees Hears Presentation on Reentry Plans for Expelled Students
Maryam Adalat, ESUHSD’s Director of Student Services provided a presentation on how reentry plans for students who are returning to an ESUHSD school from expulsion are developed.
Among the highlights:
Before reentry, students go through multiple meetings with administrators and support teams with evaluations to ensure they are ready to rejoin their site
Students returning to school are greeted by an Assistant Principal to develop a support plan and receive a tour of resources and facilities
Spartan East Side Promise Program
Last year, 1,753 students from the Class of 2024 applied to San Jose State University through the East Side Promise Program. The Spartan East Side Promise Program is a collaboration between ESUHSD and San Jose State University to offer guaranteed admission to San Jose State University for students from East Side Union High School District who meet eligibility requirements.
Also, 658 students from the Class of 2023 enrolled in SJSU, a 50% increase of ESUHSD students enrolling in SJSU compared to before the East Side Promise began. Congratulations to those making good on the promise! You can be one too!
Eligibility Criteria
In order to qualify for the Spartan East Side Promise Program, students must meet all of the following criteria.
Attend an Eligible School in East Side Union High School District
Complete All A-G Requirements with a C- or Better
TIP: See sjsu.edu/admissions for more information about your A to G course requirements or speak with your high school counselor.
Apply by the application deadline
Learn more at bit.ly/eastsidepromise
College & Career Night at ESUHSD
Monday, September 23, 2024
5:00 - 8:00 PM
617 N. Jackson Ave.
San Jose, CA 95133
On September 23, 2024 ESUHSD will host a districtwide College & Career Night. All high school students and their parents are welcome to attend. Over 100 Colleges and Organizations will be in attendance so come by and meet college representatives and attend workshops!
Help Maintain and Increase Services for East Side Students in 5 Minutes!
With your help we can increase services for students including:
- Academic Counseling
- Mental Health Services (including Wellness Centers)
- Tutoring Services
- Bilingual Para Educators
- College and Financial Aid Workshops for Students and Parents
- Field Trips
- Summer School
- Smaller Class Sizes
- Parent Support and Assistance
- School Supplies, Equipment, and Resources
Thank you in advance for completing the Income Eligibility Form! Use this QR Code or the button below to fill out the form!
Updates to Title IX
The Department of Education released President Biden’s finalized Title IX regulations designed to ensure fairness and accountability in educational settings, particularly concerning issues of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sex discrimination. Key aspects of the updated regulations include clearer definitions of sexual harassment, streamlined procedures for handling complaints, and enhanced protections for all parties involved.
Our district remains committed to fostering safe and supportive environments for every student and staff member. Therefore, an overview of the updated Title IX regulations will be provided to all staff and students to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities under the revised law. If you have any questions or require further information regarding these regulations, please contact our Title IX Coordinator or click on the Title IX information link under Quick Links (https://www.esuhsd.org/Community/Title-IX-Information/index.html) located at the bottom of the district’s webpage.
Access East Side Wi-Fi Network
This summer, Access East Side, ESUHSD’s free community Wi-Fi network, expanded to include additional areas of attendance. This free network was funded by the 2014 Measure I Technology Bond and from matching investment from the City of San Jose. Free Community Wi-Fi is now available near:
Andrew P. Hill High School
Independence High School
James Lick High School
Mt. Pleasant High School
Oak Grove High School
Overfelt High School
Silver Creek High School
Yerba Buena High School
ESUHSD students and parent can log on directly to the network with the ESUHSD Login! Follow East Side Access Network Instructions to learn more.
Among the benefits of being on Access East Side are:
It’s completely free!
ESUHSD’s Access East Side Network has a 99.975% up-time!
If you live out of the service area but still need WiFi, please connect with your school counselor to see if you qualify for a WiFi hotspot.
Have students in Elementary School Districts? They can connect too! See the flyers below for more information:
Orchard (Spanish | Vietnamese)
Learn more about how to access the East Side Access Wi-Fi Network.
ESUHSD’s Wellness Center Services
Student wellness is a priority for ESUHSD. Each school offers a Mental Health and Wellness Center which provide a number of free and confidential services and supports to the school community including:
Calming & De-escalation spaces
Crisis intervention, educationally related mental health counseling services, support, and case management
Building trusting relationships with students, families, and school personnel
Maintain the confidentiality of students and families
Home visits to understand and address barriers to learning
Linking students and families with school and community resources
Students can walk in to any Wellness Center to receive services or be referred by a friend, staff, or family member.
ESUHSD awarded inaugural TECH-Cellent Partner in Education Award
ESUHSD Migrant Education Program hosts resource fair & summer series
Five ESUHSD Students Named Winners in the 2024 Downtown Doors Contest
Overfelt’s AVID Program receives grant from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office
Ever hear of CIPN? Two ESUHSD students interned at Stanford to design a solution for cancer patients
Got CalKIDS? $500 If You Qualify!
Created by the State of California, CalKIDS provides up to $1,500 in free money for eligible school-aged children to help kickstart their savings for future college and career training expenses.*
Your child may already have an account established in their name. Claiming your child’s college savings account is quick and easy! Visit CalKIDS.org and have the information listed below handy.
See your transcript or speak with a counselor to find your Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) (This will be different from your ESUHSD Student Number).
ESUHSD Family Engagement Video Series
We developed a video series related to Family & Community Engagement to provide you with on-demand resources to support your student when needed. The videos are available on our District’s YouTube channel and their purpose is to provide you with resources and knowledge to support your students’ academic, emotional, and social success.
Visit www.esuhsd.org/familyengagement to view videos in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
These series of videos are ready for viewing at anytime and anywhere:
How to Support Learners for Academic Success
ESUHSD Graduation/A-G Requirements and Best Practices for Parents/Guardians
Life After High School: College and Career
We’re Hiring!
Share your stories with us! Email mediarelations@esuhsd.org